Thinking about Owning a Fish Store

I'm thinking about opening a fish store what kind of fish do you think I should keep

What are some fish are shrimp, freshwater or saltwater. You wish your local fish store carried. As am trying to get more ideals for my fish store.

 

Danios.

 

It depends on what type of water parameters you’ll be using. African Cichlids would be great for hard water, it’s not always easy to find them so selling some less common species might be interesting. Otherwise I’d do schooling fish and semi-aggressive fish like gouramis or some South American cichlids.

 

Where do you live. A big city or in the middle of nowhere, like me.

If in a big city, you can do rarer fish and still make money. But if you do rarer fish, specialize in something, because word will spread between the hobbyist community for that group. So if you have a ton of rare african cichlids they'll probably tell their african cichlid friends (But if you just had a few rare ones, they might think you don't have them too often). Some groups to focus on possibly: African cichlids, SA cichlids, rare guppies/rare livebearers, killis (Might want something else to go with it, like labyrinth fish or something), NA native fish, discus/angels.

For a smaller town, I would just stick with basics: Angels, a few dwarf cichlids, tetras, gouramis, bettas, gouramis, plecos, rasboras, danios, and a few african cichlids.

 

I'm thinking about opening a fish store what kind of fish do you think I should keep

If you want to make money….you sell the most common of the common, and you sell them reasonable cheap. Live bearers, tetras, bettas.

If you want to lose all of your money, sell expensive, “rare” fish

 

If you want to make money….you sell the most common of the common, and you sell them reasonable cheap. Live bearers, tetras, bettas.

If you want to lose all of your money, sell expensive, “rare” fish

But, in big cities, they already have the availability for the common fish. And there are a lot more advanced keepers that want rarer fish. It's almost opposite there, unless there isn't one until the other side of the city. But if you live in the middle of no where, yes do common fish.

 

But, in big cities, they already have the availability for the common fish. And there are a lot more advanced keepers that want rarer fish. But if you live in the middle of no where, yes do common fish.

Has nothing to do with availability. The American hobby is cheap….CHEAP….

 

Has nothing to do with availability. The American hobby is cheap….CHEAP….

Though if you were to look at the what's the most you've spent on a single fish, more than half are above 20 bucks.

 

Livebearers and schooling fish are always big sellers. It does depend on your water though. video on what the most popular fish are

 

I've witnessed so many mom & pop fish stores in my area go under & disappear. Owning a fish shop is a rough road.
There are several FL members involved in professional fish breeding that might be able to provide information regarding profitability.

 

Livebearers and schooling fish are always big sellers. It does depend on your water though. Cory did a video on what the most popular fish are for him

Look at that. A profitable fish store, and none of the top 20 sellers cost more than $5? Odd…

 

Look at that. A profitable fish store, and none of the top 20 sellers cost more than $5? Odd…

Yes, but does that also mean you make the most money off them? You are more likely to sell a ton of neons, than you are to sell a ton of jack dempseys, but they'll buy say 1 jack dempsey and a another few SA cichlids to go with them. ANd will sell for 10-14 dollars each. And I believe a lot of the fish in that vid are schoolers. And they specialize in community fish, and have a good reputation so are going to be favored to other stores that have all the same fish.

We are just having a discussion and the passive-aggressiveness isn't completely appreciated.

Some helpful links, that might give you ideas:

What Would Your Imaginary Fish Store Be Like? | Forum Games Forum | 474296


He also specifies at the end. "I think this will translate to a lot of stores LIKE MINE, who don't sell african cichlids or SA cichlids."

 

Yes, but does that also mean you make the most money off them? You are more likely to sell a ton of neons, than you are to sell a ton of jack dempseys, but they'll buy say 1 jack dempsey and a another few SA cichlids to go with them. ANd will sell for 10-14 dollars each. And I believe a lot of the fish in that vid are schoolers. And they specialize in community fish, and have a good reputation so are going to be favored to other stores that have all the same fish.

We are just having a discussion and the passive-aggressiveness isn't completely appreciated.

Some helpful links, that might give you ideas:

What Would Your Imaginary Fish Store Be Like? | Forum Games Forum | 474296

He also specifies at the end. "I think this will translate to a lot of stores LIKE MINE, who don't sell african cichlids or SA cichlids."

I’ll agree to disagree. The core of the aquarium fish trade revolves around selling lots of 25 cent fish for $3, not selling $3 fish for $14. ROI and all that stuff

 

I agree, it really depends on on the demographics of where you are. If you have a lot of competition from big box stores, go for the things that you can’t get from them. If you’re in a small town, stock the basics of the hobby. Don’t count on hardware sales because with the internet people can order supplies from Chewy, Amazon, etc., and you won’t be able to match their prices.

 

What do you mean by starting a fish store. Are you looking to quit your job and go all in or is this going to be a side gig?

 

Yes, but does that also mean you make the most money off them? You are more likely to sell a ton of neons, than you are to sell a ton of jack dempseys, but they'll buy say 1 jack dempsey and a another few SA cichlids to go with them. ANd will sell for 10-14 dollars each. And I believe a lot of the fish in that vid are schoolers. And they specialize in community fish, and have a good reputation so are going to be favored to other stores that have all the same fish.

We are just having a discussion and the passive-aggressiveness isn't completely appreciated.

Some helpful links, that might give you ideas:

What Would Your Imaginary Fish Store Be Like? | Forum Games Forum | 474296

He also specifies at the end. "I think this will translate to a lot of stores LIKE MINE, who don't sell african cichlids or SA cichlids."

What do you mean by starting a fish store. Are you looking to quit your job and go all in or is this going to be a side gig?

Definitely going to be going all in.

 

What fish do you keep currently? I wouldn't recommend running a fish store unless you're already an experienced aquarium owner with years in the hobby and experience keeping, feeding and breeding many different types of common and semi-rare fish. It would also help to have connections in your local community with some or all of 1) Fish clubs 2) wholesale suppliers 3) private breeders 4) tank builders and so on...

 

What fish do you keep currently? I wouldn't recommend running a fish store unless you're already an experienced aquarium owner with years in the hobby and experience keeping, feeding and breeding many different types of common and semi-rare fish. It would also help to have connections in your local community with some or all of 1) Fish clubs 2) wholesale suppliers 3) private breeders 4) tank builders and so on...

Though there have been many non fish keepers to start a pet shop and include tanks.

Also, you might want to consider also involving other pets, that way you always have that part of the business (Cats/dogs) to support the fish part, if you aren't making that much revenue. Just a thought.

 

Going all in, you’re brave my friend. I’ll assume you already have some business experience and a lot of fish keeping experience. I have zero business experience and minimal fish keeping experience but my advice would be not to look for which fish to buy, but rather try to find a good wholesaler to buy from, who are reliable, produce healthy fish, and aren’t to expensive. Start out with whatever they sell the most of which would probably be all the beginner hobby staples like small tetra and live bearers and such. A lot of money you make probably won’t be from fish though it will be from the equipment, meds, food, ect. I know cory says their most sold item is their brand of sponge filters.

 

What fish do you keep currently? I wouldn't recommend running a fish store unless you're already an experienced aquarium owner with years in the hobby and experience keeping, feeding and breeding many different types of common and semi-rare fish. It would also help to have connections in your local community with some or all of 1) Fish clubs 2) wholesale suppliers 3) private breeders 4) tank builders and so on...

. . . and several years experience managing a fish store for someone else.

 

Do your research first before starting an lfs. How's the current market in my area? Or do I also want to spread my name much further than the area I'm in? Or do I also wanna do something online?
In case you do wanna proceed, start selling the common aquarium fish for most part to have a steady continuation of sales. And try to have a small number of rare fish in stock. For that will make a unique selling point to come over to the store. But offering only rare fish won't work. Or you have to ask ridiculous high prices to cover the rent and other costs you'll make. Even if you will sell common aquarium fish, the steady costs that comes with it, should be covered as well. And then, we're not even discussing the profit yet. You have to get even in the costs and make some profit to stay in business.
Take your time to think about this all. But of course, if you'll proceed, I wish you all the best and blessings...

 

Really is no money in aquarium stores. Can’t base sales on what’s going on now (not that it’s great now) because of covid people got into fish. But in a year or 2 it will go back to normal. By me on Long Island pet stores can’t make it unless they sell all pet related products. New mom&pops just can’t survive. Even the old ones have a hard time. Very tough business. Even the home amateur breeder can’t get rid of their fish. Very hard to sell fish.

 

I like livebearers and bettas. You could also sell snails. You could put together unique livebearers together and get unique fry. The sell those unique ones for several dollars.

Let us know if you do start a fish store!

 

Really is no money in aquarium stores. Can’t base sales on what’s going on now (not that it’s great now) because of covid people got into fish. But in a year or 2 it will go back to normal. By me on Long Island pet stores can’t make it unless they sell all pet related products. New mom&pops just can’t survive. Even the old ones have a hard time. Very tough business. Even the home amateur breeder can’t get rid of their fish. Very hard to sell fish.

My lfs is super busy all the time, but they are also connected as a supplier to a tank maintenance company. That go to businesses and maintain and build tanks like in Offices. I believe they have a window cleaning service attached also. Not sure on that one though. I looks to be a tough business to me. I would definitely try to work a a local store and see what goes on.

 

I'm thinking about opening a fish store what kind of fish do you think I should keep

You can never go wrong with shrimp!

 

If you are opening a store you need variety.
I don't go to my lfs that only sells discus or guppies.

You'de have to open up for salt and fresh with some good displays and quality stock.

 

Your biggest obstacle is knowing how to run a business. Clearly the fish come last in this scenario.
I suggest you ask "how to run a business" before considering fish. Its like putting the cart before the horse.

 

Next thing is that now so many people by there supplies online. Look how many on here even buy there fish online. The business is changing.

 

Best of luck, where will you do your business?

 

Next thing is that now so many people by there supplies online. Look how many on here even buy there fish online. The business is changing.

Maybe I'm one of the few that prefers to buy fish in person instead of online. But that goes for clothes as well.

 

Maybe I'm one of the few that prefers to buy fish in person instead of online.

I prefer in person too. Safer, can pick out specific ones, see if they are healthy, see other fish too, cheaper, you can meet people who also keep fish, I could go on.

 

Yes you are both right with most fish. But I would never recommend buying discus from your local store. And rams from a private breeder do seem much stronger. So for some fish online is better.

 

Going all in, you’re brave my friend. I’ll assume you already have some business experience and a lot of fish keeping experience. I have zero business experience and minimal fish keeping experience but my advice would be not to look for which fish to buy, but rather try to find a good wholesaler to buy from, who are reliable, produce healthy fish, and aren’t to expensive. Start out with whatever they sell the most of which would probably be all the beginner hobby staples like small tetra and live bearers and such. A lot of money you make probably won’t be from fish though it will be from the equipment, meds, food, ect. I know cory says their most sold item is their brand of sponge filters.

Thanks this help a lot.

 

Yes you are both right with most fish. But I would never recommend buying discus from your local store. And rams from a private breeder do seem much stronger. So for some fish online is better.

But I also buy from private breeders. But still in person. Most fish I've got don't come from an lfs.

 

Not to be a Debbie downer, but if most fish stores don't carry it, it probably means it doesn't sell. Just my initial reaction to your post.

 

A big missing piece is painted fire-red shrimps!